Forsyth Fire update: 1,640 acres covered, 0% contained

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post with more information as it becomes available.

Live updates:

6/21 7:10 p.m.: Utah Fire Info confirms that extreme fire behavior and gusty erratic winds have pushed the fire east and north of Pine Valley. The fire has pushed over a mile north and up over the next ridge to the north of Pine Valley. The communities of Pinto and Grass Valley are advised to evacuate.

Update from U.S. Forest Service:

5:07 p.m.: The Forsyth Fire is currently covering 1,640 acres and is 0% contained. Crews are continuing to fight to minimize threats to Pine Valley, holding the fire uphill to the east.

There are currently fire engines, water tenders, hotshot and hand crews, as well as type 1 aviation on scene. According to a press release, air attack, large air tankers, and two bulldozers are among additional services that are on the way.

About 450 residents are impacted by the fire. They were evacuated on Thursday evening as the fire spread from higher to lower elevations of the valley. Despite the firefighter’s best effort, fourteen structures were lost, according to the Emergency Management entity for Washington County. 

The Pine Valley Area is under a hard closure and mandatory evacuation as winds blew between approximately 15-25 miles per hour Saturday, with gusts up to 35-45 miles per hour.

Update from Washington County Government on Facebook:

1:07 p.m.: “Currently the fire is at 0% containment. There are over 150 firefighters coming from as far as Idaho, Arizona, and throughout Utah. Please stay away from the area and do not fly drones as they will cause our air support to stay on the ground.“

Update from Washington County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook:

10:18 a.m.: “We know many who have property in Pine Valley are concerned about their homes. If you have a home in the Mountain View/ Meadow View subdivision area, you can call into dispatch’s non-emergency line at 435-634-5730 and leave your contact information (name, phone number, and property address) and we will get a Deputy to call you and let you know if your home was lost to the fire.”

Original Story

PINE VALLEY, Utah (ABC4) — The Forsyth Fire that forced mandatory evacuations for the Pine Valley area of Washington County has now destroyed seventeen homes, Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby confirmed Saturday morning.

175 firefighters, along with both hot shot crew, hand crews, command staff, law enforcement, and even state and federal partners were all present this morning’s briefing, per a post from Washington County Emergency Services. “(They) are working diligently to ensure the safety and protection of Pine Valley.”

The fire started burning Thursday evening near Pine Valley, about 20 miles northwest of St. George. It currently sits around 1,600 acres and was 0% contained.

Sheriff Brooksby said he spent most of the day in Pine Valley Friday. He says despite hundreds of first responders keeping the town safe, quickly changing winds caused the fire to destroy seventeen homes.

In a Facebook post he said, “The firefighters were shocked. They had busted their butts for two days with, maybe two hours of sleep to protect the community. They lost structures. That is the worst of the worst in their world. I could see it in their eyes. They gave it all they had and still lost to mother nature. I appreciate their efforts and will support them with everything we have until the firestorm is calm.”